But George V very much liked Nicholas II as a man, and the feeling was mutual.' They looked a lot alike. and Russia as nations had many points of potential conflict around the globe, and their overseas interests made them natural rivals. 'They got on very well, personally,' according to Martin. When they were both young, there were regular vacations spent in Denmark, attended by Dagmar and Alexandra and their children, as well as other relatives. Meetings as adults included:ġ913: On the eve of World War I, the cousins met in Germany for the wedding of the only daughter of their mutual cousin, the German Emperor (Kaiser Wilhelm II). There’s even a photo of them wearing German uniforms, since it was common for royalty to wear each other’s uniforms and orders and medals when on visits to each other, says Martin. In fact they did, and frequently met, says Martin. Notes Martin, 'Christian IX is sometimes known as the 'Father-in-Law' of Europe,' because his children ruled or married into families that ruled in four European monarchies (Denmark, Greece, the UK and Russia).' Did George and Nicholas know each other? George V was Queen Victoria's grandson, and grandfather to the future Elizabeth II. From back l.: George, Mary (holding Prince John), Prince George, Prince Edward, and Prince Albert (later Geoge VI). George V and his family during a visit to Abergeldie, circa 1906.

George's royal house had actually been the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, but after 1917 the name was changed to Windsor, when German names were not very popular among the British (see: World War I). Dagmar wed Russian Emperor Alexander III in 1866 and had Nicholas Alexandra married Edward, Prince of Wales, who became Edward VII, in 1863, and had George. George's mother Alexandra and Nicholas' mother Dagmar were daughters of King Christian IX of Denmark.

George wilhelm nicholas cousins